Fascinating Account Of Ancient Wars In Old Biblical Scrolls

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27165, 22 August 1949, Page 5

Fascinating Account Of Ancient Wars In Old Biblical Scrolls

NZPA—Copyright LONDON, Aug. 19. Among the Old Testament scrolls found in a cave near Jericho was a hitherto unknown Apochryphal book, which contained a fascinating account of ancient wars. The American authorities have christened the book “The War of the Children of Darkness and the Children of Light.” The chief curator of antiquities of the Hashimite Kingdom, Mr G. Lankaster Harding, said the book may be an account of actual war involving an unknown Jewish sect. The book described the arrangement of armed forces of the time. It indicated that they were divided into age groups, each with its own banner. A trumpet call heralded each separate phase of battle. Mr Harding said it was now established that some of the scrolls predated by about 1200 years the text on which the present Old Testament was based. The newly-found scrolls bore a close resemblance to the present-day scriptures.

A message received on August 12 said ancient Biblical scrolls found in a cave near the shores of the Dead Sea in 1947 had been identified as texts of the Old Testament. They were believed to be at least 1100 years older than any previously-known examples, and were almost certain to take precedence over the Greek translations which at present form the basis of the Bible.